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Social Entrepreneur with a Bleak Past, Brightening the future of Others: Bharathi Singh

Our Mumbai Auto- rickshaws trundling everywhere with posters saying “Mulgi Shikli Pragati Zaali (Educating a Girl, is Progress for the World)” are bang on the mark- and Bharathi Singh proves that. The girl with her heart set on school when it was frowned upon by her community, is now passing the passion along as a social entrepreneur.

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STP Team
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Social Entrepreneur with a Bleak Past, Brightening the future of Others: Bharathi Singh

Our Mumbai Auto- rickshaws trundling everywhere with posters saying “Mulgi Shikli Pragati Zaali (Educating a Girl, is Progress for the World)” are bang on the mark- and Bharathi Singh proves that. A girl with her heart set on school when it was frowned upon by her community, is now setting the same example as a social entrepreneur. And recently, she was awarded for her noble work as her organization, SA-MUDRA, impacted round 50,000 youth across Karnataka by providing timely telephonic intervention through its ‘Yuva’ helpline. Read on to know how Bharathi Singh overcame her own struggles, and is passing the torch on:

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As interviewed by Binjal Shah for SheThePeople.Tv

 

How empowered do you feel, knowing you’re contributing in the larger scheme of things? Your awards certainly signify that your work isn't going unnoticed…

Considering the challenges that social sector throws one’s way, more so towards the organizations headed by women, where I am today is a seat of triumph. In a way, the finishing line of long adventurous journey of learning, un-learning and relearning is in view. I started out young at the age of 17 as a secretary because I yearned to be self-reliant. Thus, this climb up the ladder to be a Founder CEO of a prominent Social enterprise is the perfect destination to the path I dared to tread upon.

 

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Bharathi Singh Picture Credits: Facebook Bharathi Singh

Picture Credits: Facebook

Tell us about your journey- what inspired you to go down this path of service? Would you say that your own life experiences drove you to this decision?

A strong determination to make a difference in the lives of lesser fortunate people steered me to where I am today. Like the journey of every woman who wants to swim against the tide, mine has been no different. Born in orthodox Rajput family, my interest in education was frowned upon. I was married at 18, but still went out to complete degree as a mother of two- multi-tasking to sponsor my further education.

Children who are products of broken families- like my own- often have this distress spill on to other parts of their lives. My organization is here to reduce the presence of this vibe of despair and “failure.”

I personally relate to this cause since I am a product of chronic failures myself. But, my mine have only toughened me further. So, I feel elated every time I manage to help a youngster come out of their distress.

 

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The path of service is a selfless one, and is a struggle for sustenance from the start to the finish. Did SA-MUDRA give you sleepless nights too?

Formation and managing SA-MUDRA was no easy task, my will and skill is sufficient to convert this dream into reality. The burden of bills caught up, and the challenges of running SA-MUDRA multiplied- be it registrations, fundpublive-image mobilization, team conflicts, to the regulatory systems, plagiarisms, human resource management, attrition, and worst of all- people’s casual attitude towards the social sector. There were times when I took on doing majority of the workload, and shared the glory and accolades with majority of figure head trustees, too.  Restructuring this Board and taking off all over again, alone, was gargantuan task. But the zeal to excel only accelerated.

 

Bharathi Singh Picture Credits: Facebook Bharathi Singh

Picture Credits: Facebook

In trying times, how do you keep going with optimism and resilience, as a woman social entrepreneur?

All over the world women face challenges. Undercurrents of gender bias, jealousy and suppression in everyone’s lives have been some common ground. Interacting and conversation with one another is rejuvenating and reassuring- you will be able to relate to many of those struggles and situations they have been through and it pumps a lot of confidence in you to scale greater heights. It makes you feel that you are not alone and there are always women who have transcended bigger barriers than yours, and emerged more successful.

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What are the mantras that you have followed through your life that you would like to share with the aspiring women leaders of today?

I have learnt not to beg for equality, but to earn it. Your work should be a combination of hard work &honest work. Be passionate about you profession, and obsessed with perfection. Patience is another virtue that has helped me all along the way. The ones who asked not “why me” but “try me” are the ones that have prevailed. Finally, be a leader that sets an example.

 

girls education Social Entrepreneur Bharathi Singh SA-MUDRA Foundation
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